Messer finds upset veterans, Obama critics at Muncie IN town hall

MUNCIE, INDIANA (NEWS) - Congressman Luke Messer found some angry people upset over denying cost of living benefits to veterans and critical of President Barack Obama during a town hall Friday evening.

Admitting a town hall was not the most sexy thing a person could do on a Friday night, Messer pledged to help create more jobs and stop affordable care from costing businesses and other more money.

Messer, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also expected Congress to get a handle on the National Security Agency after President Obama announced changes with gatherting information on citizens.

It is difficult to balance privacy with national security, Messer said, about the NSA controversy.

While most town halls include partisans of the congressman like Tea Party leader Margaret Niccum and local Republican Party Chairman Will Statom, there were others who were upset with federal government spending, affordable care and other issues.

James Phillips, an Army veteran, confronted the congressman about the recent budget Congress passed that cut cost of living for veterans.

Messer said that was an unfortunate cut made in federal spending that he supported.

Phillips also recalled how veterans rushed Washington D.C.monuments that were closed by the government shutdown supported by Messer and other House Republicans.

Ed Hanrahan criticized President Obama and accused him of violating the Constitution. He and others wanted the president impeached.

Messer said Congress might act to sue the president over constitutional violations and usurping the legislature's authority.

And the Republican congressman called on partisans at the town hall to oust Senate Democrats like Senate Leader Harry Reid, and elect a Republican majority in 2014.

Messer also pointed out the disastrous rollout of affordable care and continues to vote with other House Republicans to repeal it. And he said the government shutdown was no more than a show down between Congress and the President over usurping congressional authority.

Messer, like other House members, faced re-election this year and he already is raising money and out campaigning.

Two Democrats, Lane Siekman, an Ohio County lawyer, and 2012 candidate Susan Heitzman, a retired teacher, are seeking their party's nomination to face Messer.

In 2012, Messer won with 59 percent of the vote and Democrat Brad Bookout received 35 percent. Seikman offers a traditional approach, criticizing Messer for the government shutdown that hurt those who need government help, while Heitzman is unconventional, wanting to create a coalition of people that will help her identify issues and help represent others.

Heitzman came in second to Bookout in the 2012 primary, without any signs or much campaigning. Siekman once ran for an Indiana Senate seat and is past president of the Rising Sun Ohio County Chamber of Commerce.